Four factions encountering adversity due to the passage of the dying assistance law
Unfiltered Rant:
Man, the situation with that bloody bill is a mess. It's blowing my mind that they're pushing this through without giving it the serious scrutiny it deserves. The second reading vote was just the start, and already things are plunging downhill faster than a rollercoaster on steroids.
First off, let's talk about the committee's skewed membership. With 18 supporters and just 5 opposing this bill, it's no wonder they're not taking the time to properly weigh its social and political impact. And to make things worse, ministers from justice and health are among those supporting the bill—talk about a conflict of interest!
But the real kicker is how the bill's supporters have been dismissing all the valid concerns raised by palliative care, legal, and health specialists. They see these concerns as obstacles to personal autonomy. Yeah, right, because treating four vulnerable groups with complex health needs as second-class citizens is all about personal freedom, isn't it?
These four groups include the elderly, who are at a greater risk of abuse, and for whom all proposed amendments to protect were rejected. Not to mention individuals with anorexia or eating disorders, for whom assisted dying has become a viable option in some countries. The thought of such a dangerous precedent being set in the UK is enough to make your blood run cold.
Domestic abuse services have warned that the bill doesn't account for coercive control in abusive relationships, and people with Down's syndrome have been left unprotected. And let's not forget the potential impact on minority ethnic communities, whose health outcomes are already poor and would suffer further with the introduction of assisted death.
The bill's proponents seem hell-bent on pushing through the "voluntary assisted dying service: England." This amendment would replace the founding principles of the National Health Service Act, which aim to improve physical and mental health, with regulations and arrangements for assisted dying across public and private health. It's a complete and total about-face, and one that would have disastrous consequences for so many.
So, here we are, with a bill that's going to harm the most vulnerable members of our society and threaten the very foundations of our healthcare system. And all because a handful of people with too much power have decided they know better than the experts, the people with lived experience, and common sense. It's a disgrace and an insult to the sanctity and value of every life.
On a more positive note, the Evangelical Alliance and other faith-based groups have been vocal in their opposition to this bill, communicating their concerns to MPs and submitting written objections to the committee. They've been sharing examples from countries like Canada where promises of safeguards and restrictions have weakened over time to warn us of the dangerous path we're embarking on. Let's hope they can galvanize the opposition and put a stop to this reckless legislation.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a drink. This whole thing has left a nasty taste in my mouth.
Sources:
- Healthcare Chaplaincy (2022). The Evangelical Alliance opposes assisted dying legislation. Evangelical Alliance. https://www.evangelicalalliance.org/resources/news/the-evangelical-alliance-opposes-assisted-dying-legislation/
- Coles, E. (2022). MPs warn they are being pressured to vote for assisted dying legislation in backroom lobbying. iNews. https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/assisted-dying-laws-backroom-pressure-1403405
- The Christian Institute (2022). The Government's Assisted Dying Bill threatens the sanctity of life and the vulnerable. The Christian Institute. https://www.christian.org.uk/our-views/the-governments-assisted-dying-bill-threatens-the-sanctity-of-life-and-the-vulnerable/
- Parliament UK, Terminally Ill Adults (Assisted Dying) Bill. https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2021-22/terminallyilladults.html
- Christian Concern (2022). National Days of Prayer: Unite for Life. Christian Concern. https://www.christianconcern.com/our-campaigns/protection-of-conscience/national-days-of-prayer-unite-forlife/
- The bill's social and political impact requires serious scrutiny, not a rushed approval.
- The skewed committee membership, with a majority in favor of the bill, risks overlooking important issues.
- Ministers of justice and health supporting the bill creates a conflict of interest.
- Palliative care, legal, and health specialists' concerns about the bill are being dismissed as obstacles to personal autonomy.
- The elderly, individuals with anorexia or eating disorders, domestic abuse victims, and minority ethnic communities are among the vulnerable groups affected by the bill.
- The proposed amendments to protect the elderly were rejected, increasing their risk of abuse.
- Assisted dying has become a viable option for individuals with eating disorders in some countries, setting a dangerous precedent.
- The bill doesn't account for coercive control in abusive relationships, potentially leaving victims unprotected.
- People with Down's syndrome are also unprotected by the bill.
- The bill threatens the foundations of the National Health Service Act, focused on improving physical and mental health.
- The bill's proponents are pushing for a "voluntary assisted dying service: England."
- Faith-based groups, such as the Evangelical Alliance, are vocal in their opposition to the bill.
- They are communicating concerns to MPs, submitting written objections, and sharing examples from countries like Canada to warn against the bill's potential dangers.
- The bill, if passed, could harm the most vulnerable members of society and the healthcare system as a whole.
- In addition to health concerns, the bill raises issues of policy, legislation, and even crime and justice, as illustrated by cases of car accidents, fires, and other accidents.
- Migration, war and conflicts, and political developments are also relevant factors to consider in evaluating the bill's impact on society.
